pundits
Talking heads, basically
Pundits are commentators who offer opinions and analysis on public affairs, especially in media.
The term often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting confident pronouncements without deep expertise: The pundits predicted she'd lose, but she won decisively.
Political talk shows feature panels of pundits debating the news of the day.
One who examines systematically
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- commentatorBroadcast analyst or narrator
- panelistDiscussion group member
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
broadcaster · editorialist · opinion-maker · strategist · forecaster · prognosticator · talking-points · soundbite
Long-winded empty speech
- pontificatingSpeaking pompously at length
- armchairUpholstered seat with supports
- self-appointedClaiming authority unbidden
- so-calledLabeled with skepticism
ivory-tower · elite · groupthink · wrong · overconfident · smug · blowhard · windbag
Power to enforce obedience
- specialistExpert in one field
- guruRevered authority figure
- mavenTrusted field authority
- sageWisdom keeper or seasoning
oracle · savant · scholar · connoisseur · mastermind · thought-leader · insider · wonk
One who measures opinion
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- operativeCovert field agent
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- advisorOne who gives guidance
campaign · election · horse-race · beltway · Westminster · spin · partisan · left-wing
analyst
One who examines systematically
- columnistRecurring newspaper feature writer
- commentatorBroadcast analyst or narrator
- panelistDiscussion group member
anchor · broadcaster · editorialist · opinion-maker · strategist · forecaster · prognosticator · talking-points · soundbite · mouthpiece
bloviating
Long-winded empty speech
- pontificatingSpeaking pompously at length
- armchairUpholstered seat with supports
- self-appointedClaiming authority unbidden
so-called · ivory-tower · elite · groupthink · wrong · overconfident · smug · blowhard · windbag · know-it-all
authority
Power to enforce obedience
- specialistExpert in one field
- guruRevered authority figure
- mavenTrusted field authority
sage · oracle · savant · scholar · connoisseur · mastermind · thought-leader · insider · wonk · technocrat
pollster
One who measures opinion
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
- operativeCovert field agent
- consultantProfessional advice provider
advisor · campaign · election · horse-race · beltway · Westminster · spin · partisan · left-wing · right-wing
- politicsdemocracy, campaigning, campaigns, democrats, bill
- campaigningcandidate, campaign signs, canvassing, campaign manager, fundraising
- expertsexperts, expert, specialist, masters, specialists
- media peoplejournalists, journalist, reporters, reporter, editors
- notable peoplepoliticians, artists, leaders, writers, scientists
- sports culturefan clubs, highlights, commentary, live reporting, analysis
punditsnovices
Inexperienced newcomers
laypeople · amateurs · neophytes · beginners · ignoramuses
punditsreporters
Those who gather news
journalists · correspondents · beat reporters · investigative journalists · eyewitnesses
punditsaudience
Gathered viewers collectively
viewers · listeners · readers · the public · spectators
- political punditProfessional political commentator
- sports punditAthletics commentary expert